A special thank you to Dad

To me at 5 years old, “diabetes” really only meant I had to have regular, painful injections and absolutely, never, ever have candy …(with thanks to pumps and updated nutrition is a bygone of the past). Any time I eyed candy I still remember dad saying to me, “remember that girl in the hospital bed next to you that ate a Kit-Kat bar and wound up in the hospital?” Yeah…thank you, girl who ate a kit kat and wound up in the hospital…I thought I would never hear the end of that example.

Back to dad. I relied on my parents completely, and looking back, I don’t know how they did it. My mom went back to school to be a nurse so she could learn how to better help me (trying to avoid grabbing a tissue here, that will be for a later post) and my dad used humor, thoughtfulness and tested EVERYTHING before I did. And I mean everything. Pricking his finger, getting a shot, tasting my drink to make sure it wasn’t a regular Coke…you name it.

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Me and Dad at Niagara Falls. You can’t see it here, but on my little finger was a bright blue band-aid from testing my blood sugar just before we went across this bridge. He kept all my diabetic supplies in that little bag on his back.

I remember being in that sterile hospital room and having the nurse prick my finger to check my blood sugar. With the large blood sample that was required, and obvious pain, I hated it! My dad, being the warm, caring dad he is, with a silly side he shares with few, let the nurse prick him before I was pricked. I still remember it like it was yesterday! He yelled out a whopping OUUUUCH!! And shook out his hand, which made me bust into endless giggles.

He also came up with a special song to sing to me before he would give me injections, “a frog went a courtin’ and he did ride…” Now, I realize it may have been to comfort himself just as much as it was meant to comfort me! You would think the hearing that song would bring back memories of painful anticipation before feeling the sting of a shot,  but it was such a comfort at the time that it only makes me smile. It was consistent and sweet.

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Me and Dad in Dallas when he came to visit a few years ago. We always make the most of our time together!

So, in the wake of dear old Dad’s Day on Sunday, thank you Dad. Thank you for the way you cared for me when I needed you most, and the way you continue to care for me. Thank you for all of the special times not related to diabetes at all. Thank you for being there in all aspects of my life to listen, impart wisdom be quick to love.

xoxo.
Lauren
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Why start now?

Starting this blog has been a thought of mine for the last 5 years, finally making its way on a to-do list 3 years later. And it stayed there. Up until this point my T1D was pretty much on a “need to know basis,” only sharing with doctors, family, closest friends or roommates. The thought of people thinking of me differently (heaven forbid pity me) wasn’t worth it. Although I kept it close, I always felt a tug to share my story to help others.

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This is my first day of kindergarten and about a month after I was diagnosed. Stylin’ in those socks and shoes.

So, why start now? Mostly because T1D doesn’t get easier. I found myself connecting with others through Twitter or reading blogs of people with stories just like mine. I was so inspired. I met my boyfriend (more on that later), now husband, and he encouraged me almost every day to share my story and start this blog.  It was pretty hard to ignore after awhile. Through our relationship, T1D has brought us closer, and he even recently started his own blog, http://teststripseverywhere.com/.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Now excuse me while I cross off on my to-do list, “Start blog.” (!!)

 

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